Date of Birth:
Wednesday, December 17, 1924
Date of Death:
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Age:
91 years old

Earl Francis Fries

Earl Francis Fries, 91, of Rochester, passed away September 14, 2016 at Golden Living Whitewater Care Center in St. Charles. Earl was the sixth of twelve children born to Earl and Amelia (Boose) Fries on December 17, 1924 in Lorain, Ohio.

Earl left high school two weeks before graduation to help support his mother and five younger siblings. He served in the Army as an infantryman in World War II in France and Belgium and was disharged on December 25, 1945. He worked on railroads all his life and was a dedicated husband of 61 years to Elsie Vandenburg who preceded him in death on August 31, 2014. He taught their children to assist others whenever possible. Anyone who knew Earl will miss his variety of jokes. Earl’s family was the most important vocation in his life.

He is survived by their daughter Denise & Tom DeRienzo of Rochester, MN and son Gene & Deb Fries of Wyoming, MI; brothers Leonard of Goldwaith, TX, Paul of Sandusky, OH, sister Emily & John Goff of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law Alice Hoekstra of Cedar Springs, MI; bother-in-law Frank Hoekstra of Belmont, MI; grandchildren Christopher DeRienzo, Theresa & Arron Husman; Joe Headd & Cherie Lordy, Joshua & Maggie Headd, Anthony Headd; Daniel and Mark Fries; great-grandchildren Zoe DeRienzo, Daniel Farrell & Hugo Husman; Jacen, Jaina & Isabella Headd; Conner, Savana & Lucas Headd; and 49 nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, their daughter Lois Headd and their son Kenneth Fries; his parents; brothers Bernard, Alderbert, Vernon, Arnold, Joseph and sisters Mary, Hildegard and Rita preceded him in death.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, September 20th at 10:30AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester with visitation one hour prior. A visitation will be held at Pederson Funeral Home in Rockford, Michigan on Thursday, September 22nd from 5:00-8:00PM and a memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Friday at the funeral home. Earl will travel one more time from Rochester, MN to Belmont, MI where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved Elsie in Plainfield Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided for Earl in both Rochester and Belmont.

Memorials can be sent to St. Croix Hospice, Rochester, MN or St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, MN.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.